For 2009, we will be offering a program for high school science teachers so that they can gain practical tools that are designed to help them provide relevant and challenging subject matter for their students. The focus of the educators' trips will be to provide in-depth knowledge of the Colorado's watershed, water resource issues west of the 100th meridian and how cyclic climate change might impact these resources and thus the western United States in the future. We envision a 5-day river trip through Canyonlands National Park along with a day spent in Dinosaur National Monument. Our goal will be to provide relevant subject matter learned through fieldwork that the high school science teachers would be able to incorporate into their high school science curricula.
The program will be taught by well-respected professionals and educators and we intend to have the course qualify toward the educator/students' continuing education requirements – possibly with university level credit. Our goal is to have the educators build what they've learned into their high school's science curricula.
Educator trip:
- Potential topic - Broad scope watershed and water issues west of the 100th meridian and their potential impact on the environment and country. How cyclic climate change might impact these issues.
- Goals - Gain an in-depth comprehension of the subject matter. Build a network to facilitate continual learning.
- Objectives - Incorporate the subject matter into the coming year's high school science curriculum; provide the educational and emotional foundation for fostering environmental stewardship; meet the educators' continuing education requirements.
